Gambling man?

McPherson charged with wagering on Florida State games

Adrian McPherson Timeline Nov. 25, 2002 McPherson booted from FSU amid blank-check investigation Nov. 26, 2002 Fish: Bowden bucks trend as laissez-faire disciplinarian Nov. 27, 2002 McPherson turns himself in to Tallahassee police Nov. 27, 2002 Fish: Shop owner says McPherson sought damage control too late Dec. 19, 2002 McPherson at center of gambling probe into Florida State Dec. 20, 2002 McPherson to ask NCAA to investigate Florida State Jan. 14, 2003 Troubled Ex-FSU QB enrolls at Murray State Jan. 24, 2003 Fish: This quarterback's tale just gets curiouser and curiouser Jan. 30, 2003 Two more charges filed against McPherson Feb. 5, 2003 Moving on, again: McPherson drops out of D-II Murray State Feb. 13, 2003 Fish: Even more bad check charges filed against ex-FSU quarterback March 4, 2003 McPherson charged with betting on Florida State games March 4, 2003 Fish: McPherson flat-out denies gambling on Seminole games March 5, 2003 Attorney: McPherson will plead innocent to gambling charges March 6, 2003 Prosecutors: McPherson could be charged with additional crimes April 4, 2003 Fish: How much did FSU know about McPherson's gambling? April 10, 2003 Attorney: McPherson was Seminoles' 'scapegoat' June 3, 2003 Fish: Trial could be dicey for FSU coaches June 4, 2003 Trial opens, friend testifies McPherson bet on FSU June 4, 2003 Fish: McPherson's ex-friends could have final word June 5, 2003 Bowden's testimony prompts failed request for mistrial June 5, 2003 Fish: Bowden testimony highlights second day of trial June 6, 2003 Judge declares mistrial in McPherson gambling case

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Former Florida State quarterback Adrian McPherson was charged with one misdemeanor count of gambling, including on games in which he played.

McPherson, who started four games for Florida State last season, placed bets over the Internet on college and pro games during the 2002 football season, the school said Tuesday.

He bet on every Seminoles' game last season, always wagering that they would win, according to Florida State police chief Carey Drayton. Sources told investigators McPherson bet large amounts and owed a Tallahassee man, identified as Dereck Delach, a total of $8,000, police said.

Delach and Florida State football team equipment manager Jeffrey Inderhees were charged Tuesday with one felony count of bookmaking.

McPherson was kicked off Florida State's team in November, after police said he was connected to the theft of a blank check later cashed for $3,500.

McPherson, who has denied the check-related charge, told SI.com that he did not bet on college football.

"I never bet on any games," McPherson said. "I'm charged, but they're just going off what they think, I guess. This is something we'll have to decide in court.

"I didn't do it, so I want them to show me where I've been betting. I never even knew this guy, Dereck. So show me who I bet with, whoever he is."

McPherson's lawyer, Grady Irvin Jr., did not return a call seeking comment.

Inderhees was in Tallahassee on Tuesday and was expected to surrender to Tallahassee police, Drayton said. Delach was in Pennsylvania, according to authorities.

The charges result from a three-month investigation by the university, Tallahassee police and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Drayton said Inderhees told investigators that he and McPherson placed bets on collegiate and professional basketball games as early as January 2002.

Several other sources told investigators they were present when McPherson placed bets, and Inderhees was often the contact with Delach, who then placed bets on the Internet for McPherson.

Delach had eight or nine regular customers, according to the police report. His laptop was seized Dec. 11, 2002, and its contents included gambling-related data, Drayton said.

Bill Saum, the NCAA's Director of Agent, Gambling and Amateurism Activities, said the NCAA has been working with Florida State officials for many months regarding the gambling allegations and have found no wrongdoing on the school's part.

"Florida State is not at risk in this situation, unless someone knew this was taking place," Saum said. "To date, there's no evidence there that anyone did know or should have known this was going on."

The charges came one day after McPherson, who is living in Bradenton, was in a car wreck near Apollo Beach. He was not injured.

McPherson, 19, was wearing his seat belt and was not ejected from the vehicle, which blew a tire and flipped several times. He was evaluated at the hospital and released.

 

Related information

Stories

FSU boots McPherson amid police investigation Attorney: McPherson did not get money from check Mike Fish: Bowden's decision to bounce McPherson has a history Mike Fish: Shop owner says McPherson sought damage control too late FSU QB Rix ruled ineligible for Sugar Bowl Ex-QB McPherson at center of FSU gambling probe Ex-FSU QB McPherson to be arraigned on Jan. 23 More charges against FSU's McPherson Ex-'Nole QB McPherson drops out of Murray St. Mike Fish: Where's Adrian McPherson going? Report: McPherson was NCAA to investigate FSU Police open gambling investigation at Florida State Poor FSU season clouded by McPherson dismissal New charges against ex-FSU QB McPherson Former Seminole McPherson arrested Dismissed McPherson rips FSU coaches

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video